Residents of Baragoi during a cultural event.

Cases of youth engaging in crime after dropping out of school have led to concerted calls for parents to be more involved in raising their children.

Residents of Baragoi in Samburu county have raised the alarm over cases of crime involving youths who have abandoned their education. 

Vivian Lekisat, a resident, said, “Some parents are not setting a good example for their children because they themselves are addicted to alcohol. How will they raise their children when they get inebriated and end up sleeping on the pavement instead of going home?”

Speaking during a drive to encourage parents to enrol their children in school, she went ahead to say that poverty and illiteracy have also had a negative effect on families, with some parents spending the little money they get on illicit brew and neglecting to take care of their children, which has driven some to engage in crime to fend for themselves.

Samson Lolrdai, another resident, “A big problem is that many parents have not completed their education and so they do not see the need for their children to get an education either.”

“My own parents did not complete their education and neither did I, but I saw the need to educate my children because I have seen the impact children who have gone to school are making and I am confident my efforts will bear fruit.”

Doris Lembesi said she has seen the impact of not monitoring children and encouraged others to prioritise their children and take them to school.

“Many who have been left to their own devices have ended up becoming criminals and they do not have any respect for their parents. It is important to emphasize the importance of education to improve their chances in life so that they are not stuck doing menial jobs,” she said. 

Benard Korir, a children’s officer in Samburu county, said, “We have seen many children being abandoned at a tender age. This makes it easy for them to be lured into criminal activity and it has led to cases of teen pregnancy.”

He urged parents to monitor their children and enroll them in school to improve their lives.